The Athens Regional Library System announced on May 10 that its library branches will resume their regular pre-pandemic service hours starting Monday, May 17.

“I would like to thank our community for their support, patience and understanding throughout the past year,” said Athens Regional Library System Executive Director Valerie Bell. “We are proud that our dedicated staff adapted to continue serving our communities during the challenges of the pandemic. We are excited to return to our normal operating schedule.”

Unvented face masks are required in Athens-Clarke County Libraries per the current Athens-Clarke County Unified Government ordinance, and social distancing measures will remain in place. 

Starting May 17, Athens-Clarke County Libraries hours will change to:

• Athens-Clarke County Library, 2025 Baxter Street, Athens

  Monday-Thursday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM

  Friday-Saturday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

  Sunday, 2:00 – 6:00 PM 

• Pinewoods Library, 1465 U.S. Highway 29N Lot #F-12, Athens

  Monday and Wednesday, 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM

  Tuesday and Thursday: 1:30 PM – 8:00 PM

  Friday: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM

• Winterville Library, 115 Marigold Lane, Winterville

  Tuesday and Thursday, 3:00 – 7:00 PM

  Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM\

• Lay Park Resource Center, 297 Hoyt Street, Athens

  Monday – Friday, 2:00 – 6:00 PM

Curbside service is available upon request. Athens-Clarke County Library’s meeting rooms will be available for reservations starting June 1. 

Most library events continue to be hosted online, but in-person computer classes are now available. Visit athenslibrary.org to see the full calendar of library events, including registration information. 

Athens Regional Library System’s 11 branches have continued to provide vital library services to patrons of all ages throughout the pandemic. The libraries’ buildings closed for a brief time starting March 15, 2020, shifting services to a digital model including streaming virtual events, issuing digital library cards, expanding the digital collection and even interactive reference chat at athenslibrary.org. The libraries have reopened in a phased approach over several months. Curbside service for checkouts and printing jobs began May 27, and patrons were invited back into the buildings for Grab and Go service starting October 5. 

For more information, call the library at (706) 613-3650, or visit athenslibrary.org. Athens Regional Library System includes 11 library branches in five northeast Georgia counties: Athens-Clarke, Franklin, Madison, Oconee and Oglethorpe.